Line finder allotting systems



March 3, 1959 H. L.. HRwlTz ETAL 2,875,287

LINE FINDER ALLOTTING SYSTEMS Filed Deo. 22. 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 11.l

Miu fn .|H L.

H. L. HoRwlTz ETAL 2,876,287

LINE FINDER ALLOTTING SYSTEMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 3, 1959 Filed DGO. 22, 1954 March 3, 1959 H. HRwlTz ET AL 2,876,287'

' LINE FINDEE ALLOTTING SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 22, 1954 '5 'sheets-sheet 3 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR.

HL. HORW/TZ /4- E. HOM/4N 6- L. HASSEE United States Patent O 2,876,287 LINE-'FNDEKALLQTTING SYSTEMS Hnry-'Eeopold'Ho'rwit/z, Nutley, and Merle Edwa'rdH- man and George Louis Hasser, Packanack Lake, N; J., as'signors ',to` International Telephone and Telegraph 'CorporationyNew York, N; Y., a corporation of Maryland This invention relates to line nd'er startV circuits and tbspervisory arrangementsv associated therewith.`

Line' nderstart and distributor' circuits are generally of two kinds andi eachV issubject to disadvantages.

One type inwhich an' idle finderv is selected over a series' chain circuit, has the objection that in a sm'all oice; during slack periods, such as during.' the night hours, a subscriber who makes a'n'umber of consecutive calls Within a short period, is 'apt to seize' the sa'meline finder for every such call. If this line nder'is faulty'the subscriber is unable to complete a call for he cannot seize another'until some other subscriber engaged in making a call takes into use the faulty finder;

In-the second' type of arrangement an idler finder is selected by an allotter switch. This switch can only deal withv onevv call at a time and is'subj'ect to great contact wear since' after each' call itis required to advance very rapidly to the contacts of the next idle finder.' It'has been proposed to split the line finders into'two groups each" of which is served by an allotter switch butin-such case each switch still gets considerableconta'ct,wear and if one breaks down all the tra'lic must be handled by the other.

An object of our invention is' the provision of a start circuit arrangement in which the disadvantages of both' theaforementioned systems are avoided.

According to one feature of our invention a'free iinder istaken into use over a chain circuitbut a distributor switch is provided for extending the 'start conductors to diiferent points of entry into the chain circuit. The distributor switch, after a seized finder has found a calling line, steps to a different point of entry into the chain, and an automatic check is made to establish that the switch has properly stepped to its next position.

The above-mentioned and other objects and'features of our invention will be clearly understood fromA a" consideration of the following description of a preferred einbodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of a subscribers line circuit and a line finder,

Fig; 2'is a circuit diagram of a distributor switch and supervisory circuit, and

Fig. 3 is a chart used in explaining the arrangement of the distributorl switch.`

The line finders consist of a two-coordinate' selector mechanism having two sets of wipers and ten levels of twenty lines per level.

Thirtyiinders numbered 1 to 30 are associatedV with 200 substation lines and eachterminates inthe' us'u'al rnanner in a''rst group selector (not shown).

The line relayv L, Figure 1, in each substation line circuitis arranged, when energized, via'contact L2 to ground a'sub-'group start lead G which extends to the distributor switch circuit, FigureZ, and which also marksthe vertical bank contacts'of the levels of the line findersvr in which the line appears. The sub-groupstart leads G are divided' p v1C j 2. The distributor switch DS, Fig. 2, comprises ve wipers Bl to B5and corresponding-contact banks, plus an additional wiper B6 andbank which is used for checking purposes. This switch may be a single-motion stepping switch of any suitable kind,lbut in the drawing it is shown as an eleven point switch,- the first position l.being indicated N and-the ten other positions 1 to 10, although in operation the switch isl not horned.

The line nders are taken into use over a closed serie chain circuit including makeV contacts F1 of a relay F of veachY iinder which is energized in the busy condition of the respective' finder. The start-infand start-out leads of the n'ders are-.connected in the following order, the number's representing the numerical designation of the iinders': 2-12-122, 4'-l4`-24,.6-16`26, 8-1'8-28, 10-20-30. The chain can be entered at any desired point over conductors extending from the contacts of the banks associated with wipers B1 to' B3 of thedist'ributoi switch DS. Y The odd sub-group start leads' G1, G3,etc., are connectable to thewipr B94 of theV switch DS', via contacts TMI and CH6V whilst the' even sub-group leads G2, G4, etc., are connectibl'e to the wiperV B5 via contactsTMZ and CHIl front; ,TheJ successive bank contacts engaged by the wiper B4 are connected to theA wipers B1, B2, B3 in the orderv B1, B2, B3, whilst the successive bank contacts-engagedby the wiper BS- are connected to these wipers in the order B3, B1, B2. It' will thusbe seen that in every position" of the" distributor switch the wipers B4 and B5 are'e'xtended'to"dilerent'ones of the wipers B1, B2, B3 and to different start-in led's tothe chain circuit. Two line ndefrsone` in eachV group (odd and even) may therefore huntsirnultaneously'. This will be' apparent from a consideration of thechart of Fig. 3 in which the periphery of the circle'represents'the chain circuit, the contacts F1 in the respective iinders being'indicated by thev number of the finder.Y The radial lines indicate the points of entry into the' chain-over the wipers B1, B2 and B3 in the various positions of the distributor switch. For example, in position'7, a line in the odd group has access over the wiper B2 at line nder #18, whilst a line in theV even group has access loverthe wiperv B1 at line nder #18.

It will also be seen that since the distributor switch stepsto the'k next position on successive calls,entry is then made to the closedchain circuit at a different and widely-spaced start-in point, whereby different line ndersare taken' into use on successive calls even though such calls areV originatedby the same subscriber or by dierent subscribers in the same sub-group. Thus in position 8V of` the distributor switch, a line in the odd group has accessfat finder #-29 and a line in the even group" has access at iinder #19, and in position 9, a line intheodd group has access at iinder #10 and a line inY the even `group has' accessy at nder #30.

When a subscriber originates a call, the line relay L, Fig; 1, of his line circuit 'is energized over the -iand leads andv the subscribers line loop. Relay L operates and at contacts L1 connects the cut-olf relay CO to the appropriate testlead` P1 or P2 to"mar k the line finder bank contactsassociated with the calling line. At contactsthe sub-group start lead G is grounded to mark the vertical'position ofthei line and to start a line finder.

Provided that one or more line' finders` of the groupv arey available, relay. CH in the distributor switch and supervisorycircuit of Fig,j2,'Y is normally operated over parallel break c Ontacts'F-l of relays such as F, Fig. l of free line finders.` `Assuming-that the calling line is in sub-group 3( andV that the distributor' switch DS is` in position 4," ground on 4thele'ad G3fenergize's' relay CB' Figi' 2, viaz rectieri'MRAS, grounds via conductor V3" thel vertical `bank-contacts tVB; Figi Y1 ofth`e" line; nders to mark the level on which the calling line appears, and

also connects ground to the start-in lead o f the line finder #15 via make contacts CH6, contacts of a toggle switch TMI, wipers B4 and B2 Vof distributor switch DS in its fourth position.V The ground ,on the start-in lead 15y operates relay A, Fig. 1, in the circuit of line finder #15 which causes the latter to hunt for the calling line. Itwill be noted that if the call had originatedwith a line in an yeven group, ground on one of the start leads G2 G10 energizes relay CB, Fig. 2, over its left. hand winding and start-in lead will be grounded via contacts CHI, and banks B5, B1.

Relay CB, upon operating, energizes thestepping magnet DM of the distributor switch DS over contacts CB4, C16, CD1 in parallel and right-hand contacts of a toggle switch TM2, atV contacts CB3 prepares a` vcircuit for an overflow meter OF, at contacts CB2 closes a circuit for relay CD overy CHS, C17, right-hand contacts of RT and lead Z3, and at contacts `CB5 grounds the lead ST to startor cause the continued operation of a timer. Relay CD locks up over contacts CD4.

circuit of the release magnet Z to prevent premature release of the switch, at E2 closes a circuit to theright'- The timer may be of any suitable construction and is shown in the form of two cam-operated contacts, one of which T1 closes fora short interval during each cycle to ground lead Z3,kand the other T2 closes for a short interval, 2 minutes, say, after T1, and grounds lead Z2. The cams may be mounted on the same shaft, driven by a motor, not shown, which may be started by applying ground to the lead ST. n

If the first choice line nder is busy, the ground .connected to the start-in lead is extended over make right-hand windings of relays B and D and places ground onzthe outgoing test lead P. Relay A at contacts A3 also closes a circuit for the upper winding of relay C via vertical springs VS1, rotary magnet springs WRl and contacts F2.V

` Relay C operates and at contacts C1 closes a circuit A3, C1, E3, F3, for the vertical stepping magnet V. The vertical magnet V operates, .actuating the vertical springs VS Yand raising the shaft of the wipers of theV switch one level. Thev circuit of relayC is now opened at springs VS1 and as the shaft leaves its normal position .the oftnormal 'springs NS are operated, springs NSI preparing acircuit for the release magnet Z and springs NS2 preparing locking circuits for relays B and D.

Ifthe switch illustrated is the first choice to the subgroup to which ythe calling linev belongs, the first level marking contact Vof the Vvertical bank VB will be grounded and av circuit closedrfor the upper winding of relay C in series Vwith the left-hand winding of relay E via springs VSlandWRl.V v

vIf theabove-mentioned circuit forpthe upper winding of relay C is not closed, relay Cl restores when its circuit is opened at the vertical springs VS1.. The circuit of the vertical magnet V vis now reclosed at contacts C1. The foregoing cycle of operations continues until the calling line level is found or the -switch isv raised to its tens or O level. The'back-to-back rectifers SQA-prevent excessive sparking at the contacts C1 and E3 which interrupt the circuit of magnet -V. Y

. When the -grounded contact #3 in the vertical bank VB is reached, Vthe left-hand winding of relay E is energizd in series with thel upper winding of relay C over the operated vertical springs, VS1. Relay E is made slowto-operate toprovide ashort interval between the vertical ,and rotary motions to allow the wipers to cease vibrating.v TRelay E at-contacts opens a point, in the hand winding of relay E in series with the vertical magnet V, at contacts E3 transfers the impulsing circuit from the vertical magnet V to the rotary magnet R and at contacts E4 prepares a locking circuitl for the right-hand Winding of relay B. Magnet V restores when its impulsing circuit is opened due to the high resistance of the right-hand winding of relay E and allows the vertical springs VS1 to restore.

- `The rotary magnet -R operates and rotates the wipers in the bank, thus disengaging the wiper associated with the vertical bank VB and operating the rotary springs WR. The` circuit to the upper winding of relay C is `now opened at springs WRI and locking circuits to the righthand windings of relays D and Bare prepared at springs WRZ.

If the calling line is associated with the rst set -ofbank contacts, a circuit to the left-hand winding of relay Dor B is closed inseries with thelowerwinding of relay, C from battery via the winding of the lcut-olf relay CO of the line circuit, kcontacts L1 and the test wiper T1 or T2. If the calling lineis not associated with the rst set of bank contacts of the level, relay C restores when theA circuit of its'up'per winding is opened at rotary springs WRI, and opens the circuit to the rotary magnet R which deenergizes and restores the springs WR. The circuit of relay C is now reclosed at springs WRl and a point in the locking circuits of relays B and D is opened at springs WRZ. Relay C now reoperates and at contacts C1 re closes lthe circuit to the rotary magnet R. The foregoing cycle of operation and release of the rotary magnet R and of the relay C continues until the calling line is found or the line nder rotates to its 11th position. vThe back-to-back rectitiers SQB prevent excessive sparking at contacts C1.

When the calling line is found, the circuit to the lower winding of relay C is closed in series with the left-hand winding of relay D or relay B over the wiper T1 or T2 and thusr relay C remains operated over its lower winding when the circuit to its upper winding is opened at the rotary springs WRI. Cut-oit relay CO in the calling line, circuit operates, and at contacts CO2, CO3 disconnects the line relay L which restores and removes the marking ground from the vertical bank VB and from the lead G.

If the calling line is associated with the first bank of lines, relay D operates over its left-hand winding and locks up over its right-hand winding and contacts D1,V WRZ and A2. At contacts D2 `a point in the circuit of the left-hand winding of relay B is opened and the lefthand winding of relay D is short circuited thus reducing the resistance to ground on the test Wiper T1 to mark the calling line busy. At contacts D3 a point inthe cir- B2 and B3, the talking wires are switched over fromthe wipers W-i-l and W-1 to the wipers W-l-Z and W-Z and at contacts B4 a circuit is closed for the right-hand winding of relay D via contacts A1 and NS2. At con'v tacts BS the circuit to the wiper T2 is transferred to the lower winding of relay C to make the calling line busy.

Relay D operates'and locks over its right-hand windingn and contacts D1, WRZ and A2, and at contactsrD3 opens a point in the circuit of release magnet Z and closes a circuit for the upper winding of relay F. The talking conductors are switched through at contacts D4 and D S.-

Uponthe operation of relay F the start-in lead ofthe chaincircuit is extended to the start-out lead at contact's F1, at point in the circuit of the upper winding off relay C is opened atvcontactsiF2, and aticontaets Fth'e-f circuit to the right-hand iwindingof' relay; Er and-A the' ver;

multiple ground is removed from the parallel leadSl andY at' contacts F5 the circuifof.y rely`A"is'openedrandi the lower winding of relay F isrconnectedftfthe: start-in lead. At contacts F6k apoint infthey circuit t'ofther left-A hand" winding' of relay D- is"y opened@ and the"indirect`= ground on the wiper T1ad'fT2. is? replacedbydi'rect' ground onY the forward test lead yli. "Ihefrotary springs` WR2 are short circuitedI at Vcontacts F7= tfmaihtaiir.thek locking circuitv to relay D, afteilfthe*y rotar-"y magnet R restores, if the calling lineis'associ'tedf withfthe t'rst 'bank' or? the Vlocking circuits to botlifrelays 'D'r and"B it-fthef calling line is associated' with their secondb'ak'."

Relay C now releasesyat contacts Clopens tliec'ircuit of the lrotary magnet R which restorsf'th'e rota'yspring@ WR. Thev original lckingf circuit torelayf Drtobothr relays'D vand B'is openedatspringsWRZ .ReIayE re leases, atA contacts E1 closes ap'oin'tT in. the cir'c'uit of. the4 release magnet Z and at contacts-A2remov's a'multiplev ground' from the forwardtestiwirePf` Relay`A=,fwhicli" is made slow to release; restres'gat contactsSAI*'opens'a?l multiple locking circuit to the" right-hand circuit' off. relay Dif the calling lineis*associated-withtliersecondibank; and closes a multiple circuit totheup'per windinglof relay,`y F'to'prevent its release until the`swit`chhasreturnedto normal, at contactsAZ'removesmultiple'ground'frorni theforward test wire P, and-at contacts'A3'rre'n`ioves the? short circuit from'. the lower windingf ofv relayJC.' When the calling subscriber' disconnects, a" succee'dir'glswitch removes ground from the test wiper" P, thereby opening the circuit to; the' rigltihand" winding*` of relay D, which `restores and at contacts D3clo`ses'th'ecircuittothe'release magnet Z. 'l`=he"releasemagnet'Z operates and' allows `theshaft-and-wipersftoireturn'to normal and restorev the ofE-normal sprin'gsl NS;I When? the wiperw shaft reaches its normal positionA thefcircuit-fo'ff the re'le'a'se magnet Z is opened at springs NSI, and atsprings'NSZ the circuit to the upper winding of relayfFandthe-frighthandwindingY of relay'B is opened if. this latter relay is operated. t

It the start-in lead its-not' grounded at"thi's"tim'e con#A sequent upon another line being-Sin a c'allingfcondition, relay F restores when the: circuit' to its" upper winding'is' opened at springs NS2. At contact's'Fl andf'FS this`line` nder is prepared for operationonthenext`v c'allfb'y' trans-Y ferring the start-in lead-from`the" startloutlead Vto the winding of relay so thatthis switch will function the next sime the start-in lead is grounded.'A At contacts F4rgroundis connected to the-relay CHover'th'e' parallel lead-S. Ifthe start-in lead-isgrounded'atfthe'time the line nder releases, relay F remains operatedv through its lower winding toA prevent'A transferring aicall in progress on a succeedingchoice' line nd'e'r.' Whnground is're moved from the start-in lead',l relay '-F'restoresf as''prei viously described'.

Irf forany reason`the line inder fails to nd a grounded contact in the vertical-bank VB,- the switch Wipersare raised to the th (0) level as previously described. The lastcontact in the vertical bank is connected directly to ground and the switch then continues its operation as previously described. f y y t If for any` reason the test wiperl Tl'gor; T2AY fails to encounter battery through'a cll't-'oifrelay Coon tli'elevel'r overv which it is` searching, thei lsfwitchwill rtate'to its' 11th rotary position, as previously explained, in'fwhih the springs CS are operated. The circuitpto tlfefright-h hand winding of relay D isi'clos'ed'- at'springs' CS1 and t'tsp'ring's CS2 the rotary springs are,"` short circuited to preventv further interruption/ofthecircuit'to the krotary magnet R. Relay D operates; as'contact D3 closes a circuit for the upper winding'of-VV relay FA and causes the switch' to functionVv asV` previouslyI described except that the circuit to the associatedfgrolp selector.

is not closed and consequently relayA, upon restoring',l removes ground from the forward test lead' P at con# tacts'Al toallow the switch to release, as alreadyV described;

Referring now to Fig. 2, when thefline tinder seized the calling line, the'line relay L of the line circuit released and disconnected ground from subgroup lead G3v Provided nok the even sub-groups will"select as lrst choice linefinder #16 over a lead G2; G4, etc., CH1, TMZ, B5 and B2.l The release of relay CB` also atfcontacts'CBS removes ground fromY the startlead ST to the timer lat contacts CB2 opens the locking circuit of relay CD.

If all the line finders' servedY by this circuit become busy, there is no circuitforfrelaylCH over the lead S since this lead is' connected in vparallel to'normally groundl' ed break contacts (F4) of relays (F) which operate When a line finder is in use;

Relay CH releases and thereupon grounds a lead to operate" an all-line-nder'busy meter ATBv over contacts CH2 and left-handcontacts of toggle switch RT, at contac'ts CH4v lights a supervisory lamp GD, and at contacts CH3 closes a circuit-for the primary Windingoff thev busytone coil BTC to cause busy tone to be applied over conductor BT to all the subscribers line circuits served by the tnder groupgtoindicate to any other such subscriber who calls that the call cannotbe handled at this time; The operating circuity of relay CD is also opened at'contacts CHS.

If a call (or calls) is originated during*- an all-line` nder busy condition, relay CB is operated as'lpreviosly described and" an overflow"` meter OF visl actuatedfovei"l contactsv CB3, CH2 and left-hand contactsof the toggle'- switch RT.

As soon asa finder becomesidle, the? parallel circuit S is closed again, relay CH operates and' atk contacts CH2 opensthe" circuitsto the all trunks busy and over`- flow meters ATB and OF,` at contacts-CH`4 extinguishesVA the lamp GD, and at contacts CHS' prepares the` circuit of relay CDfrom the 'timer 'lead Z3. Relay CD ismadel slow-to-release so asl to prevent' pulsingl the overllowl meter OF if a subscriber'spins his impulse dial during an all-line-nder busy'coridition', and thereby intermit -V tently grounds a start'lead G.-

.If for any reason a calling line is not served by a nder within a' predetermined interval' (e. g. 24 seconds), and an all-finders-busy condition does notexist, since relay CH is energized an'd'relay CB'isnot operated`,when the timer places a ground on the-lead Z3,` a circuit is closed to vrelay CD overv CHS, CB2, C15, RT. Relay. CD locks up overfcontacts CD4, opens its operating cir cuit, and at contacts CD3 prepares a circuit for relay CI from the timer lead Z2.

Within a predetermined interval (e. g. 2 minutes) after relay CD operates` from ground on the Z3 lead, the timer places'a momentary ground on the lead Z2 thus closing the circuit to relay Cl. Relay CI operates and at C11 and C12 removes battery from the line finder hold conductor H thus causing alltinders which are locked outto release and serve other calls which are waiting. Re`

CB-l falls back and opens' the circuits of relays CI'- and circuit to the overow meter OF, and at CBS removes ground from the timer start lead ST to permit the timer tov ceasev operating. Relay CI upon restoring disconnects lamp SA and alarm FAU and replaces battery on the hold conductor H.

Should the relay CH burn out or fail .to operate for any'reason the circuit of: the guard lamp'GL is continuously closed at contacts .CH4 and the lamp lights steadily.

: Should a start-in vlead become grounded, the rst available finder nearest the foreign ground will attempt to. nd a calling line'V and, failing to do so, will move to itseleventh rotary position in.which relay F is energized, opens a point in the chain circuit and extends the startout. lead to the next idle nder.' The nder thus locks itself out of service until the foreign ground is removed. A11 other available line finders will then operate in turn inV like manner and when the last available finder has functioned, the circuit of vrelay CH isV opened. RelayV CH restores and closes a circuit to relay CI over its lower winding,contacts CHI and wiper B5 of the switch DS to the false ground on the start lead.v Relay CI locks ovei C13, CD2, RT, at C11 and CIZ removes battery from the hold lead H of the line lnders to allow all locked out finders to restore, thus reclosing the circuit of relay CH and causes it to reoperate. Relay CI also at CI1 closes the circuit of the urgent alarm FAU.

After relay CI operates, the nder nearest the foreign ground will continually'attempt to nd the calling line until the false ground'is removed from the start lead. Since this finderV is stepped to the eleventh rotary position of the tenth level, subscriber calls may still be madeA as the placing of such calls will mark levels below the eleventh.

.p If the distributor switch DS fails to step due to a fault, the circuit will still operate and calls will progress through the chain, but the samefinders are repeatedly taken into use. Provision must be made in these circumstances, to give a non-urgent alarm. A check is therefore made to ascertain that the switch DS has stepped when ground is removed from its stepping magnet DM at contact CB4. This'is done via the bank B6 of the distributor switch DS and the differential relay CE, the respective opposing windings of which are connected to the even and odd contacts of bank B6 so that the relay is restored as the switch DS steps. For example, assuming that the switch is standing in its normal position N and that a call is -initiated. Relay CB operates and applies ground to magnet DM via contacts CB4, and at the same time a circuit is closed for the left-hand winding of relay CE via rectier MRB and wiper B6. When relay CB restores the Y magnet DM should step. Provided that it does so, in

the next position relay CE is energized over its opposing right-hand winding and restores, opening at CE1 the circuit of the alarm lamp RA. However, if the distributor switch failed to step when relay CB released, the relay CE remains operated over contact N and its left-hand winding. The alarmV lamp RA thus remains lighted. It should be noted that the alarm condition is momentarily interrupted when` a subscriber originates a call and relay CB operates.V

Since the distributor switch DS has an odd number of positions, the eleventh position in bank B6 is not connected to the relayCE and the following means is used to check that it steps from position 9 to 10. Relay CE is energized via its right-hand winding in position 9.

When relay CB restores, provided that the switch steps to position 10, current flows through the resistor YC and the charging current through condenser QB passes through the ,left-hand winding of relay CE, which restores and opens Vthe circuit alarm lamp RA. In position 10, relay CE is re-operated overrectiiier MRB and its right-hand 8 winding when relay CB again operates. When relay CB now releases and the switch steps to position N, the lefthand winding of relay CE is energized and relay CE is released.'

' The toggleswitch RT permits the test man to check the vertical and rotary operation of all idle line finders. When the RT toggle switch is operated, ground is tr'a'nsferred from the circuits of the meters OF Vand ATB .to the lead G1 and Vert. Bank l lead VI. Ground will then be connected tothe start-in lead of a line finder associated with the terminal on which the distributor switch is standing, via CH6 and bank B4. The 'line finder will attempt to find a calling line, and, failing to do.so, will open part ofthe chain circuit, extend the start-in lead to the `next line. finder in the chain and lock. itself out vof service as previously described. All other available line finders will then operate in like manner and when the last available line nder has functioned, the circuit to relay CH is opened. CH restores and the above cycling of the line finders is repeated until the tog,- gle switch RT is released.

.The toggle switch RT alsoopens the circuit to relay. CD to prevent a false alarm from the timer.

The toggle switch BT when operated disconnects the busy tone transformer BTC from the busy tone lead and closes thecircuit to the lamp GD, which lights.

AThe toggley switches TMI and TM2 are operated when the distributor switch DS is being adjusted during service. .Switches TMI and TM2, when operated, by-pass the distributor switch banks for connection to the start-V in leads. The lamp GD lights when switch TM-l and/or 'IMZ is operated. s

The toggle switches RT, BT, TMl and TM2 may, be of any known kind.-

v While we have described above the principles of our invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of our invention. I

What is claimed is:

l. In a rtelephone system a plurality of lines, a plurality of switches having access to said lines, a chain circuit, means for selecting for use an idle one of said switches over said chain circuit, a distributor Aswitch comprising a wiper and a plurality ofl associated bank contacts, connections from said contacts to different points of entry into said chain circuit, a start conductor, means for connecting said start conductor to said wiper, means responsive to one of said lines being placed in a calling condition for applying a potential to said start conductor whereby an idle onev of said switches is seized and means for thereafter advancing said wiper to a different Vbankcontact.

2. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising checking means for automatically checking that said distributor switch has advanced after an idle line nder is taken into use, an alarm device, and means responsive to said checking device for actuating said alarm device if the distributor switch hasy not advanced.

s 3.'A telephone switching arrangement according .to claim 2 in which said checking device comprises an additional Wiper provided on said distributor switch and au associated additional contact bank, a relay having two opposing windings, connections yfromsaid respective windings to alternate contacts of said additional bank and a circuit for said alarm device including contacts of said relay.

A4. A telephone switching-arrangement according to claim 3 in which said distributor switch has an odd number ofv positions and in which the last contact of said additional contact bank is connected to a ksource of cur-` rent over a resistance and to that winding of said relay which isnot connected to the contact in the preceding position of the switch.

5. In a telephone system a plurality of lines, a plurality of switches having access to said lines, a closed chain circuit, means for selecting for use an idle one of said switches over said chain circuit, a start conductor, distributor switch means forextending said start conductor to different points of entry into said chain circuit, means responsive to one of said lines being placed in a calling condition for applying a potential to said start conductor whereby an idle one of said switches is seized, means for causing said seized switch to hunt for the line which is in a calling condition, and means responsive to the engagement of said line by said switch for causing said distributor switch means to extend said start conductor to a different point of entry into said chain circuit.

6. In a telephone switching system, a group of substation lines, a plurality of line nders having access to said lines, a chain circuit, means for selecting for use an idle one of said line nders over said chain circuit, a distributor switch having wiper means and bank contacts, connections from said bank contacts to different points of entry into said chain circuit, a start conductor, means for connecting said start conductor to said wiper means, means responsive to the initiation of a call on a sub-station line for applying a potential to said start conductor whereby an idle line linder is seized and means for thereafter moving said wiper to a different bank contact.

7. In a telephone switching system, a rst group of substation lines, a second group of substation lines, a plurality of line nders having access to both the rst and second group of substation lines, a chain circuit, means for selecting for use idle ones of said line nders over said chain circuit, a distributor switch having rst and second wipers, respectively associated with rst and second sets of bank contacts, means for connecting the bank contacts of said iirst and second sets of contacts to dierent points of entry into said chain circuit, a rst start conductor for said first group of substation lines, a second start conductor for said second group of substation lines, means for connecting said rst start conductor to said rst wiper, means for connecting said second start conductor to said second wiper, means responsive to the initiation of a call on a substation line in said rst group for applying a potential to said first start conductor whereby an idle line finder is seized and caused to hunt i for said substation line in said first group, and means responsive to the initiation of a call on a substation line in said second group for applying a potential to said second start conductor whereby another idle line finder is seized and caused to hunt for said substation line in said second group.

8. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim 7 further comprising means responsive to the seizure of a calling line for causing said distributor switch to advance to a different position.

9. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said distributor switch is provided with a plurality of other wipers and respective sets of bank contacts which are each connected to diterent points of entry into said chain circuit, the bank contacts associated with said first wiper being connected in a certain order to said plurality of other wipers and the bank contacts associated with said second wiper being connected in a diierent order to said plurality of other wipers.

10. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising an alarm device, timing means and means responsive to said timing means for actuating said alarm device if a line in a calling condition is not served by a line nder within a predetermined time interval. v

11. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said means for connecting said rst and second start conductors to said rst and second wipers comprise a pair of contact sets of a relay the winding of which is connected in parallel circuits extending to each said line linder and adapted to be opened when the respective line nder is in use.

12. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim l1, further comprising a guard lamp and a circuit therefor including contacts of said relay.

13. A telephone switching arrangement according to claim 12, further comprising an alarm relay, a circuit for said alarrn relay including contacts of said first-mentioned relay and one of said first or second wipers, an urgent alarm device and a circuit for said device including front contacts of said alarm relay.

No references cited. 

